PRAGUE, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Here are news stories, press reports and events to watch which may affect Czech financial markets on Monday.
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] =============================TOP NEWS===========================INCOME TAX: The Czech finance ministry plans to switch to a flat income tax of around 20 percent for workers and the self-employed, daily Mlada Fronta Dnes reported on Saturday, citing a draft of the ministry's proposal.
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CO2 REGISTRY TO REOPEN: The Czech registry of carbon emissions permits plans to reopen on Feb. 25 following weeks of closure due to theft from several accounts, the registry operator OTE said on Friday.
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EU FUNDS, LOW DIVIDENDS PROP UP CURRENT ACCOUNT: The Czech current account showed a 0.69 billion crown ($38.83 million) deficit in December, much narrower than expected by analysts thanks to transfers from the EU and lower dividend payments, the central bank said on Friday.
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OUTGOING HOLMAN VOTED FOR A HIKE-MINUTES: Czech central bankers Robert Holman and Kamil Janacek joined hawk Eva Zamrazilova to vote for a hike in interest rates on Feb.3, widening the ranks of dissenters on the seven-strong governing board.
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CEE MARKETS: The Hungarian forint rebounded on Friday with a rising euro but was set for its first weekly loss of 2011 amid indications that optimism over anticipated Hungarian spending cuts may have been overdone.
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CEE POWER: Czech power for the next working day fell on Friday due to forecasts for milder weather, while Cal '12 baseload and front-month contracts rose along with coal and oil, traders said.
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] Related news: [ ] ---------------------- MARKET SNAPSHOT ------------------------ Index/Crown Currency Latest Prev Pct change Pct changeclose on day in 2011 vs Euro <EURCZK=> 24.175 24.298 0.51 3.3 vs Dollar <CZK=> 17.832 17.916 0.47 4.48 Czech Equities <
> 1,238.2 1,238.2 0.19 1.09 U.S. Equities < > 12,273.26 12,229.29 0.36 6.01 Pvs close or current levels vs prior domestic close at 1500 GMT ==========================PRESS DIGEST=========================VAT SEEN AT 20 PCT: The government coalition is mulling a plan to unite the VAT rates at the upper level of 20 percent with the exception of drugs and heat which should be taxed by the lower 10 percent rate, the paper reported citing unnamed sources. The hike is to finance the planned pension reform. The coalition is also pondering making private saving voluntary, rather than compulsory, the paper adds, without giving its sources.
Lidove Noviny, page 1
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